Monday, January 28, 2013

Book Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Good morning!

Hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. I spent mine working and reading. I'm almost done reading another book, Easy by Tammara Webber, but today we will be discussing Through the Ever Night, the sequel to Veronica Rossi's debut sensation Under the Never Sky. So here it goes.

Through the Ever Night begins right where Under the Never Sky left off. It's been months since Aria and Perry have seen each other, and they are dying to be in each other's arms. But things aren't going to be that easy. Now that Perry is Blood Lord of the Tides, he has to think of what is best for his people (especially with the tribe close to starving thanks to the rise in Aether storms), while Aria is scared that the tribe knowing he is in love with a half dweller will cause them to turn on him.

And it just gets better from there. Or should I say worse?

What I liked:

Veronica Rossi proved once again that she can deliver an amazingly crafted story. The plot moves fluidly from one scene to the next and is paced to perfection. A lot of authors now are doing the alternating first person POV, and Rossi could teach them a thing or two. She shifts seamlessly between perspectives, and each voice is distinct and carries equal weight.

Aria is a much stronger character in this book than she was in Under the Never Sky. She is confident, calculating, and precise in her decision making and execution. She also has much stronger instincts and skills to match them. Yet, she is still equally caring, dedicated to her goals, and ready to help anyone who needs her, even if not saving them would save her a lot of heartache and headaches (i.e., Soren, who tried to kill her at the beginning of the first book). She is always prepared to do the right thing, whether it benefits her or not, especially when it comes to doing what is best for Perry.

Perry, on the other hand, grows increasingly vulnerable toward Aria, especially now that he is rendered to her, and realistically lacks confidence in himself as a leader. Even when he believes he is doing the right thing, he is continuously called out for his impulsiveness and loyalty to the wrong people (i.e. Aria). But he slowly grows into the leader the Tides need, rather than the one they believe they want, and he slowly earns their trust and respect. Perry is a well-rounded character (Aria, too), but I felt that he evolved much more in this novel than he did in the last. He is becoming a much wiser and mature character, and I can't wait to see what happens to him next.

My heart wanted to break for Roar. He just does not have good luck in this book. You'll, of course, have to read the book to know what I'm talking about.

Cinder is a great character, I just wish there was more of him in it. I do like how he slowly assimilates himself with the Tides, even finding first love. Aaaah. And of course, he saves the day with his weird Aether related superpowers. I imagine it looking something like this:

I liked the implantation of Kirra in this novel, as well. She had an interesting role to play. She is like the anti-Aria. She's everything Perry wanted at the beginning of the series--frisky, loyal, resilient, sexy, a Scire, and into Perry. She is the epitome of what he should want, the perfect mate to serve at his side, a mate who his tribe will approve of and look up to. One small glitch: she's not Aria. (cue the "Awwww"s)

Finally, we got a bit of insight as to what the Aether is, how it came to be, and a bit of how it works. I'm still curious as to what Cinder's connection to it is and more on how it works.

What I didn't like:

NOTHING. There is not one thing to dislike about this book! The connection between Aria and Perry is "sin"tilating and leaps off the page, the story is incredible and masterfully crafted, it tears at the heartstrings and makes you root for the characters. It's what every YA dystopian fantasy author should aspire to. This trilogy, alongside examples like The Hunger Games and Delirium, should be set aside as models on how dystopia is done right.

All that's missing is a bit more Cinder, but I digress.

Read Under the Never Sky and then read this book. If you've already read Under the Never Sky, please pass GO and collect your $200. Then read Through the Ever Night. It is guaranteed to be one of the best YA books of the year.

Overall Rating: 5 ESPRESSO SHOTS!

What will happen next? I guess we will find out when we cross Into the Still Blue!!! I'm already hot with edge of my seat anticipation. It can't come soon enough!